Ranchi, October 4, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Airport turned into a celebration venue on Sunday as four members of India’s gold medal-winning women’s hockey team returned home from the Asian Games and received a warm welcome from family members, fellow players and supporters.
Indian women’s hockey captain Salima Tete and teammates Nikki Pradhan, Beauty Dungdung and Deepika Soreng were greeted with drums, slogans, garlands and bouquets when they arrived in Ranchi via Bengaluru from Japan.
Officials from Hockey Jharkhand, coaches, players, sports enthusiasts and family members gathered at the airport to welcome the four players, who played a key role in India’s historic gold-medal triumph.
The Indian women’s hockey team defeated China 1-0 in the final to win the Asian Games gold medal, ending a 44-year wait for the country in the event. The four Jharkhand players were part of the team that secured the landmark victory.
As the players stepped out of the airport, supporters raised hockey sticks in their honour while the beats of drums filled the premises. The players were felicitated with garlands and bouquets before meeting their families.
The reunion with their parents proved to be one of the most emotional moments of the homecoming. After a long wait, the players embraced their family members and sought their blessings.
Officials, coaches and fellow players from Hockey Jharkhand also congratulated the four champions and offered them sweets as celebrations continued.
The airport echoed with chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Jharkhand Ki Betiyan Zindabad” as supporters gathered around the players.
Smiling and acknowledging the crowd, Salima Tete, Nikki Pradhan, Beauty Dungdung and Deepika Soreng returned home carrying the pride of an Asian Games gold medal and the affection of supporters from their home state.
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